July 1, 2015

Missed Connections

The following article originally appeared on the website of the Berlin Policy Journal on July 1, 2015. An excerpt is below, and the full text can be accessed here.

Narendra Modi’s tenure as India’s prime minister has been
marked by incredibly active diplomatic efforts. In his first twelve months in
office he visited 18 countries – including the United States, China, Brazil,
Japan, and Australia – and hosted the presidents of the United States, China,
and Russia.

But amid this flurry of foreign policy activity, Brussels
was conspicuous in its absence. On Modi’s first trip to Europe this April, he
visited Berlin and Hanover, Paris and Toulouse – indications of where India’s
strategic and commercial priorities lie in Europe. Although the prospect of a
one-day stopover in Brussels was floated, it did not come to pass. Three years
have now elapsed since the European Union and India – the world’s two largest
democratic polities – held a summit meeting.

The reasons for the latest missed connection vary
depending on whom one asks. [Read more.]